BP's Dudley: May Permanently Kill Gulf Well Sunday-CNBC

DOW JONES NEWSWIRES Incoming BP PLC (BP) chief executive Bob Dudley Tuesday said the company may be able to permanently kill its well in the Gulf of Mexico by Sunday and is "optimistic" that there will be no more oil leaking from the well. In an interview on CNBC, Dudley also said he is looking to reinstate the company's dividend as soon as such a move proves viable. Dudley, chosen to succeed Chief Executive Tony Hayward, also said the company wants to "restore our reputation" as a result of the spill, and cautioned that the entire energy industry operating in the Gulf of Mexico will be altered by the accident. Dudley said BP is preparing its static-kill process on the well for this weekend, and "we have the possibility of permanently killing it say by next Sunday." A relief well is to be available if needed, he said. "I'm optimistic that we will see no more oil flowing into the Gulf." Dudley is to officially take over the CEO role in October. Web site: www.cnbc.com -Dow Jones Newswires; 212-416-2900 (END) Dow Jones Newswires July 27, 2010 08:41 ET (12:41 GMT)